HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND

Update, July 2022

Lincolnshire County Council has been awarded around £5.5m of the Household Support Fund (HSF) for the period covering 1 April to 30 September.

The council has already distributed 53% of this funding to schools and early years providers to support eligible pupils (those receiving free school meals, two-year-old early years entitlement and early years pupil premium). A one-off payment of £95 per child was made to these families during May/June to help with food bills as and when needed.

It has been agreed with the district councils that the majority of the remaining funding will go to low-income households of state pension age, as set out by the government. Eligible households will be contacted and offered support before the end of September. Please note there will not be an application process. We are currently waiting for the Department for Work and Pensions to provide the relevant data so we can target the households most in need.

Different approaches have been taken across the country to the distribution of this grant. Please be assured that the approach taken in Lincolnshire will ensure as much of this funding as possible goes directly to households, keeping administrative costs to a minimum.

In May 2022, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that there will be a third round of the HSF, covering the period from October 2022 to March 2023.  However, no further information regarding Lincolnshire’s allocation and how the funding can be used is available at this time.

Residents facing financial difficulties can find further details on the various types of support available by visiting https://costoflivingsupport.campaign.gov.uk/

Michelle Andrews

Assistant Director